Mignon (pronounced meen-YON) This song is my Krautrock (psychedelic rock, avant-garde composition, and electronic music) adaptation of a classic German Lied by composer Robert Schumann and set to text by German romantic writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Inspiration: - Kennst du das Land?, (Wilhelm Meister songs for voice & piano), Op. 98a/1 - by Robert Schumann, published in 1849 - Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship - by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, published in 1795–96 When I trained to be an opera singer at the Schulich School of Music at McGill University in Montréal, Canada and at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, I performed this piece. In Goethe's novel, the protagonist, Wilhelm Meister, journeys across Bavaria and undergoes self-realization. Along his travels, he encounters a young girl named Mignon, who wistfully sings for her homeland. In the text, there are certain lyric poems included that add to the narrative. One of these is a twelve-line poem, a single stanza, known as Mignon's Lied. Goethe meant for it to be sung, and composers of that era were quickly drawn to it. Some of the most renowned composers of the nineteenth century were among those who crafted musical settings for it. This is my own modern interpretation of it. My version incorporates elements not only the classical version, but also influences from Gypsy jazz music when I sang with Romani Gypsies in their caravans in France. Driving basslines, alternating rhythmic meters, manipulated Gypsy jazz guitar, and sweeping synths express the nostalgia, angst, and hope of the protagonist Mignon as she sings for her homeland. I co-produced this song with Daniel Lynas and Alex Dadras, multi-platinum producers for A$AP Rocky. To write this song, I translated the German text to English, made a few adjustments to modernize the text, and cut a lot of the text since it would've stretched for quite a long time. I wanted the song to fit in a modern pop time frame of roughly 3 minutes, so I got that red pen out to edit and cut away. If you want to geek out with me, listen to the very beginning descending piano line in Schumann's song in this beautiful rendition of the original classical version with soprano Dawn Upshaw singing and Richard Goode playing piano: https://bit.ly/schumannmignon Then check out the bridge of my song at 2:40. You'll see I took the same descending piano part written by Schumann and included it as the bassline theme for my bridge. Watch the video of a live performance: https://bit.ly/alarkemignon — LYRICS Do you know that land Where the blood oranges bloom And lemon loves lie in leafy trees? Do you know that house With its roof on so tight? Poor child, what of your night? Do you know that land? Do you know that land? Do you know that land? There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you Yes, I would Do you know that path On the high mountainside Where warmer winds blow when mists divide? The dragon rears its brood In the far ancient cave And torrents flow over river rock Do you know that land? Do you know that land? Do you know that land? There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you I would go with you There would I go with you Yes, I would GERMAN TEXT BY JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE Kennst du das Land, wo die Zitronen blühn, Im dunklen Laub die Gold-Orangen glühn, Ein sanfter Wind vom blauen Himmel weht, Die Myrte still und hoch der Lorbeer steht, Kennst du es wohl? Dahin! Dahin Möcht’ ich mit dir, o mein Geliebter, ziehn. Kennst du das Haus? Auf Säulen ruht sein Dach, Es glänzt der Saal, es schimmert das Gemach, Und Mamorbilder stehn und sehn mich an: Was hat man dir, du armes Kind, getan? Kennst du es wohl? Dahin! Dahin Möcht’ ich mit dir, o mein Beschützer, ziehn. Kennst du den Berg und seinen Wolkensteg? Das Maultier sucht im Nebel seinen Weg; In Höhlen wohnt der Drachen alte Brut; Es stürzt der Fels und über ihn die Flut, Kennst du ihn wohl? Dahin! Dahin Geht unser Weg! o Vater, lass uns ziehn!